Barca star Yamal must ‘work hard’ to reach top level, says Flick
BARCELONA: Barcelona coach Hansi Flick said Tuesday if teenage star Lamine Yamal is to improve he must focus on improving his work rate, ahead of the Champions League clash against Paris Saint-Germain. The holders visit Barcelona on Wednesday and 18-year-old winger Yamal is keen to shine after finishing as runner-up at the Ballon d’Or gala last week, behind PSG’s Ousmane Dembele. Yamal returned from a groin injury on Sunday against Real Sociedad in La Liga and provided an assist a minute after coming off the bench during a bright second-half cameo. “(Calling him) super, super, super... I don’t like this... he’s 18 years old and for me he also has to focus on working hard,” Flick told reporters. “It’s not always easy, with talent you can get to this point, but to reach the next level, one or two steps more — and I think he’s able to do that — he has to work hard.” Last season Barcelona won a domestic treble of La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the Spanish Super Cup, but fell just short in the Champions League, beaten in the semifinals by Inter Milan despite two sensational displays by Yamal. Against Luis Enrique’s attacking PSG side Flick demanded Yamal and his team-mates knuckle down when the French champions are in possession. “It’s not only about playing with the ball, it’s also defending,” continued Flick. “This is what we need from every player — even a great player with the ball like him — and this makes the difference.” Flick said to beat PSG his team had to concentrate from “the first second to the end of the match” and play at their highest level.